(05-17-2012 01:34 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Wow with all of these shake-ups the Big South COULD wind up better for us than the SoCon. Who would have thought that even a year ago?

Forgive me but I've championed the Big South forever. The writing has been on the wall for App/Ga. Southern for some time, and the possibility of Davidson/CofC moving on just further solidifies that belief.

I think the OVC right now is honestly a better option than Southern or CAA. And there is no way I would have said that even a week ago. Ive long wanted to go back to the Southern- and CAA was beyond dreaming. But at this point, OVC is better than either option. Big South is still a joke- id rather stay where im at until the ASUN dissolves than go to the Big South.

(05-02-2012 12:55 AM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  I trust Noland to get it right.

I trust Fan1 to never show reason, but instead blind faith.

(05-14-2012 09:29 AM)Buc66 Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 03:59 PM)LetsgoBucs Wrote:  

(05-09-2012 09:38 AM)Buc66 Wrote:  

(05-09-2012 08:18 AM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  Found this comparison between CAA and A10 basketball team's yearly expenses. Anyone know what our basketball budget is? I assume no where near the lowest teams of each league.

Expenses comparison

Here is a comparison of men's basketball expenses of CAA and Atlantic 10 schools for the 2010-11 school year:

COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

School


Expenses

1. VCU


$3,221,519

2. George Mason


$2,435,191

3. Old Dominion


$2,417,397

4. Drexel


$2,166,954

5. Northeastern


$2,103,657

6. Hofstra


$2,062,389

7. James Madison


$1,966,210

8. UNC Wilmington


$1,741,679

9. Delaware


$1,645,175

10. Towson


$1,499,505

11. William and Mary


$1,483,793

12. Georgia State


$1,292,139

ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

School


Expenses

1. Richmond


$4,056,940

2. Xavier


$3,929,624

3. Dayton


$3,810,320

4. George Wash.


$3,480,829

5. Fordham


$3,154,182

6. Temple


$3,089,270

7. Saint Joseph's


$3,020,790

8. Saint Louis


$2,951,352

9. Duquesne


$2,928,573

10. Rhode Island


2,816,066

11. Massachusetts


$2,806,835

12. La Salle


$2,364,336

13. Charlotte


$2,275,714

14. St. Bonaventure


$1,592,420

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Note: For 2013-14, Georgia State joins Sun Belt Conference, Temple joins Big East Conference, Charlotte joins Conference USA, Butler (men's basketball expenses of $3,541,122) joins the A-10.

ETSU has an $11 million a year athletic budget. At least 25% or even 33% should be going to our now flagship sport. If not, then ETSU is wasting athletic funds. The money is there right now to compete in either of these leagues in basketball.

ETSU spends $1.5 million basketball. 20% of the overall budget. Bottom of both the A10 and the CAA. Nowhere close to the mid-major powers.

20% of $11 million would be $2.2 million. I'm saying at least $2.75 million, or as much as $3.6 million if you're not going to bring football back.

If ETSU would spend that much on men's hoops we could be talking about national rankings again, and the trickle down effect to the other sports would be greater in terms of generating interest for them than anything that has been done in recent years under Mullins.

One of the things that I can't believe anyone has mentioned yet is there is no way, no how that ETSU is going to go to the SoCon as long as Mullins is still the AD.

Everyone keeps talking about the President and forgets about the AD. ETSU burned significant bridges on their departure from the SoCon and I can't believe that the SoCon would want to deal with ETSU if Mullins is still a part of the equasion. He is the head of the department, you know.

The other thing- assuming GSU and ASU leave, wouldn't the SoCon be looking for quality football schools to replace them? And if C of C or Davidson were to leave (and I'm not sure I'm buying Davidson leaving, but going along with the scenario), would this football-first thinking conference even think to adding a basketball-only school, or any school for that matter?

The thing about Mullins is he really did build the department for competition in the A-Sun when you look at the facilities that were built.

For the past 10 years we have been told by the athletic department things have never been better because they have been a big fish in a small pond. Remember, according to Mullins 2007 was the greatest year in Bucs history. Five years later we ask- what really was all that memorable about 2007?

Now you're telling me that a fan base that abhors even the slightest amount of criticism, constructive or otherwise, is going to demand change? Or that Brian Noland- who makes statements about being advised by Paul Stanton and not that it is unacceptable for the baseball team to play at a half-completed stadium, for his AD to throw point fingers when a halftime promotion is botched, or that basketball and softball teams have had a demise- is going to take the bull by the horns and, by golly, straighten everything out the way we want it to- internal political situations be damned?

Do you understand why there is room for skeptism?

One of the things that I can't believe anyone has mentioned yet is there is no way, no how that ETSU is going to go to the SoCon as long as Mullins is still the AD.

Everyone keeps talking about the President and forgets about the AD. ETSU burned significant bridges on their departure from the SoCon and I can't believe that the SoCon would want to deal with ETSU if Mullins is still a part of the equasion. He is the head of the department, you know.

Probably true. Valid point.

Do you understand why there is room for skeptism?

Yes its understandable, but Noland ISN'T Stanton and he doesn't sound like Stanton either. It's just too early to start slammin him. The things he's been saying and the other things we're hearing sound better than anything we've heard in 9 years.

I don't think I've ever slammed him.

What I have said is we shouldn't deify the guy at first sight. And you have to admit a large number of posters on this board have simply because his name isn't Paul Stanton.

Is taking Noland's pubic comments for what they are worth really slamming him?

(05-17-2012 10:30 PM)PittsburghBucs Wrote:  I don't think I've ever slammed him.

What I have said is we shouldn't deify the guy at first sight. And you have to admit a large number of posters on this board have simply because his name isn't Paul Stanton.

Is taking Noland's pubic comments for what they are worth really slamming him?

I think you misunderstood. I don't think you are slammin him. That is a general statement to be taken at face value. Along those lines, I am in no way attempting to "deify" him.

As for his public comments.... his talk about a new arena, the "front porch", and bringing fans "back home" are the types of things Stanton would NEVER say. I'm simply comparing words at this point, the actions may or may not follow. We'll see. Thats all I'm sayin right now.

If Davidson/Charleston have a chance to go to a conference that will be percieved as a basketball upgrade, and an upgrade from a revenue standpoint, they're gone. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
The football schools can be replaced with football schools, very easily. (See Coastal Carolina, North Alabama, Kennesaw State {who was promised SoCon admission if and when they start football}, Charleston Southern, Gardner Webb).
The SoCon may not have a choice but to take ETSU, I'm sure the folks in Chattanooga and Cullowhee are growing weary of small, private institutions being brought in everytime there's an opening, replacing the regional state universities that were there beforehand.

Shambles?

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-...46974.html

(05-18-2012 09:31 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  If Davidson/Charleston have a chance to go to a conference that will be percieved as a basketball upgrade, and an upgrade from a revenue standpoint, they're gone. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
The football schools can be replaced with football schools, very easily. (See Coastal Carolina, North Alabama, Kennesaw State {who was promised SoCon admission if and when they start football}, Charleston Southern, Gardner Webb).
The SoCon may not have a choice but to take ETSU, I'm sure the folks in Chattanooga and Cullowhee are growing weary of small, private institutions being brought in everytime there's an opening, replacing the regional state universities that were there beforehand.

I'm reminded on here to be patient, give Noland time, he's only been there a few months. Well, this conference reshuffling isn't patient, isn't waiting, and seems on a rather fast track. If ETSU is going to be involved, Noland must be in full speed ahead mode at this moment. There is no time to wait, there is no room for studies --- he to take charge, take advantage of any viable opportunity available, and act decisively.

Cash will get it done. Do you have a spare 80-120 million floating around roughly to construct a football stadium, basketball arena, on campus track, indoor hitting facilities for baseball/softball, complete the baseball and softball stadiums AND get the startup costs for football?
We're not in a position for Sun Belt/C-USA, we're the 7th round draft pick to the SoCon/Big South.

Pitt, I don't think Mullins is a factor here. The reason for that, if things shake out and the SoCon loses four of their top performers in the two biggest sports, there just aren't that many options to replace them. That's the reason the Big East looks like it does - they're desperate. This is trickling down to all conferences. The SoCon/CAA only stand to get weaker, not stronger from conference movement. ETSU has enough history in the conference and the right location to be attractive. I don't think it matters who is in charge, the league will be in self-preservation mode and feelings will be put to the side.

Disagree entirely. This is classic east TN wishful thinking. There are plenty of schools the SoCon could take.

Explain to me why, as it stands right now, that VMI wouldn't be a more attractive candidate for SoCon membership than ETSU.

They not only have football, but they have a SoCon member in The Citadel who would lobby for their return whereas I can guarantee you Furman would not if Mullins would still be on board.

One thing we haven't discussed lately is the politics of college athletics as they stand now. The NCAA may not be around in the form that we currently know it very soon, and if so, what you'll likely see are the major football schools breaking off into their own athletic alliance and the NCAA guiding the ETSUs of the world.

And without football, would the SoCon want ETSU? Accepting them, especially if Mullins was still in the fold, would essentially send the message to the remaining SoCon members that it's okay to drop or demphasize your program if you wish. That would make it very difficult to continue to be the premier FCS football conference, which is what the SoCon's identity is.

Yes, they allowed Davidson back in, but Davidson has far more of a history in the SoCon than ETSU does. And they still play football, just at the non-scholarship level.

I just ask you to consider the current environment at ETSU. It's still the same coaches, the same AD, the same athletic employees who have told us for years that the A-Sun is just as good as the SoCon.

What is the motivation for ETSU to move to the SoCon? For Mullins, still on board as AD, to essentially make a public statement that he screwed up?

Besides, if the SoCon does lose C of C and Davidson (which is a big if), then is the appeal of being in the SoCon essentially means playing Chattanooga again and not much else because of how weakened the conference would be for hoops. I just think the powers that be at ETSU would much rather be the premier basketball program in the A-Sun than No. 2 in the SoCon and have given every indication of this.

What do we do with the soccer stadium if ETSU returns to the SoCon? Just answer me that.

For 10 years ETSU has told us they have won the right way. During this time, they have never taken into account what their fan base wants and instead have patronized their following.

Now, with paths to victory easier than ever without Belmont, what makes you think ETSU won't continue down the path they've always taken?

Or that bridges burned by spurining the SoCon and OVC won't continue to be burned without a complete overall of the athletic administration?

Well since VMI left the SoCon because the wanted to deemphasize football I doubt they would get back into SoCon because they had it.

soccer stadium alone is enough to make it never happen..

(05-18-2012 07:58 PM)PittsburghBucs Wrote:  Disagree entirely. This is classic east TN wishful thinking. There are plenty of schools the SoCon could take.

Explain to me why, as it stands right now, that VMI wouldn't be a more attractive candidate for SoCon membership than ETSU.

They not only have football, but they have a SoCon member in The Citadel who would lobby for their return whereas I can guarantee you Furman would not if Mullins would still be on board.

One thing we haven't discussed lately is the politics of college athletics as they stand now. The NCAA may not be around in the form that we currently know it very soon, and if so, what you'll likely see are the major football schools breaking off into their own athletic alliance and the NCAA guiding the ETSUs of the world.

And without football, would the SoCon want ETSU? Accepting them, especially if Mullins was still in the fold, would essentially send the message to the remaining SoCon members that it's okay to drop or demphasize your program if you wish. That would make it very difficult to continue to be the premier FCS football conference, which is what the SoCon's identity is.

Yes, they allowed Davidson back in, but Davidson has far more of a history in the SoCon than ETSU does. And they still play football, just at the non-scholarship level.

I just ask you to consider the current environment at ETSU. It's still the same coaches, the same AD, the same athletic employees who have told us for years that the A-Sun is just as good as the SoCon.

What is the motivation for ETSU to move to the SoCon? For Mullins, still on board as AD, to essentially make a public statement that he screwed up?

Besides, if the SoCon does lose C of C and Davidson (which is a big if), then is the appeal of being in the SoCon essentially means playing Chattanooga again and not much else because of how weakened the conference would be for hoops. I just think the powers that be at ETSU would much rather be the premier basketball program in the A-Sun than No. 2 in the SoCon and have given every indication of this.

What do we do with the soccer stadium if ETSU returns to the SoCon? Just answer me that.

For 10 years ETSU has told us they have won the right way. During this time, they have never taken into account what their fan base wants and instead have patronized their following.

Now, with paths to victory easier than ever without Belmont, what makes you think ETSU won't continue down the path they've always taken?

Or that bridges burned by spurining the SoCon and OVC won't continue to be burned without a complete overall of the athletic administration?

So far, nothing has changed in the athletic department. It's the same Stanton/Mullins athletic model (drop football, spend that money and much more on irrelevant sports at the pleasure of the athletic department). Let me repeat, NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!!!!!

Maybe it's as I have always said.

It's stupid to totally believe a new President will wave a magic wand and to totally discount the role of an athletic director.

(05-18-2012 09:51 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  Well since VMI left the SoCon because the wanted to deemphasize football I doubt they would get back into SoCon because they had it.

As opposed to a school that doesn't have the sport at all?

And burned bridges on the way out to boot?

http://www.nooga.com/155399/the-wait-is-...ocon-door/


On the surface, four possibilities exist.
*The SoCon is raided by suitors (i.e., C-USA, Sun Belt, CAA) eyeing football powers Appalachian State and Georgia Southern (both have FBS aspirations) and basketball mainstays Davidson and Charleston, leaving the league with eight teams and no identity. The SoCon fills holes with less-than-attractive replacements or crumbles as remaining schools dart for more stable conferences.
*The SoCon takes a hit with only part of the above scenario playing out and regroups by pursuing, say, East Tennessee State, Kennesaw State, Mercer or some combination of interested schools. The league ultimately remains viable.